Cosmetic dispensing and skin massaging applicator



July 6, 1965 ACKERMAN 3,192,923

COSMETIC DISPENSING AND SKIN mssmme APPLIGA'IOR Filed June 4. 1962 INVENTOR. DOLLETTA flame/mm 6 BY FIG,- 4 6:

United States Patent This invention relates to cosmetic applicators, and included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a cosmetic applicator wherein a liquid or semiliquid cosmetic is contained in a cartridge freely rotatable in a surrounding container, the cartridge having an applicator head or cover which massages the skin surface as the cosmetic is applied, so that the cosmetic is rolled onto and worked into the skin.

Second, to provide a cosmetic applicator whereinthe cosmetic-containing cartridge is arranged as an inexpensive, readily replaceable unit.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of the cosmetic applicator with its cap in place;

FIGURE 2 is a side view thereof with the cap removed, showing the applicator head;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, partial sectional, partial top or plan view taken from 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4is an enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view taken through 44 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a partially longitudinal sectional view, partially elevational view, showing a modification of the cosmetic applicator.

The cosmetic applicator includes a cup-shaped container or case 1 having cylindrical walls. A ball bearing unit 2 is mounted in the upper end of the case. The ball bearing unit 2 includes an outer race 3 which is secured within the mouth of the case 1, and an inner race 4 between which are disposed bearing balls 5. p

The container or case 1 is adapted to receive a cosmetic cartridge 6 which includes a shell 7 and a cover or applicator head 8. The shell 7 is cylindrical, and is dimensioned to pass within the ball bearing unit 2. The applicator head 8 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the case 1, and is provided with a neck portion 9 which is press fitted, soldered, or otherwise joined to the mouth of the cylindrical shell 7.

The neck portion 9 fits slidably within the inner race 4 of the ball bearing unit 2 so that the cartridge 6 may be inserted therein or removed therefrom as a unit. The cartridge 6 is freely rotatable with respect to the container or case 1.

The outer end of the applicator head 8 forms an applicator surface 10 which is corrugated or undulated for contact with the skin, and is adapted to rotate readily when the applicator is moved across the skin surface, particularly when the major point of contact with the skin is oif center. The applicator surface 10 is provided with perforations 11 so that the contents of the container may be discharged therethrough. If desired, a sponge or other porous member, not shown, may cover the applicator surface. The applicator head 8 is covered by a sealing cap 12 which fits slidably over the upper end of the case 1.

The cosmetic applicator is utilized as follows:

The cartridge 6 is filled with a cosmetic, of liquid or semiliquid form. When it is desired to use the applicator, the cap is removed and the applicator head 8 applied to the skin in such a manner that the major point of contact is off center so that the applicator head 8 rotates and massages the skin as the cosmetic is applied.

Reference is directed to FIGURE 5. This construction includes a cup-shaped container or case 13 having cylindrichannel 14 within and adjacent to the mouth of the case 13. The channel 14 receives bearing balls 16 which are 7 held in place by a bearing retainer ring 17, which may be formed of plastic material and so arranged that the bearing balls are retained against radially inward displacement.

The container or case 13 receives a cosmetic cartridge 18 which comprises a tubular shell 19 and a radially enlarged applicator head 20 which may, in this case, be integral. Immediately adjacent the applicator head 20 the shell'19 is provided with a bearing race channel 21.

The side of the bearing race channel 21, opposite from the applicator head 20, is defined by a superficial rib 22 so that the rib may be forced, with moderate pressure, past the bearing ball 16 to permit insertion or removal of the cosmetic cartridge 18. When the cartridge is in place, however, it is freely rotatable in the container or case 13.

The extended end of the applicator head 20 is provided with an applicator surface 23 and perforations 24,'as in the first described structure. The inner end of the shell 19 receives a closure 25. The applicator head 20 is covered by a sealing cap 26 which engages the container or case 13.

Operation of the cosmetic applicator shown in FIGURE 5 is the same as the first described structure.

While the applicator is primarily intended for use in applying cosmetics, it should be understood that the applicator may be used for applying medicaments. Still further, other substances may be contained in the applicator such as, but not limited to, adhesives or coating materials, which may be applied to an underlying surface and be worked into a spread over such surface by the rotary motion of the applicator head.

Also, while ball bearings are illustrated, it should be understood that other types of bearings may be used.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details of the constructions set forth, and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A cosmetic applicator, comprising:

(a) a closed cosmetic-receiving cartridge including an enlarged applicator head at one end having a massaging surface and perforations for flow of a cosmetic onto said applicator head, and a shell of reduced diameter continuing from said head;

(b a case surrounding said shell;

(c) and a bearing interposed between said case and shell whereby, an off-center contact of the massaging surface with a skin surface, said massaging surface rotates freely and massages the skin surface.

2. A cosmetic applicator as set forth in claim 1,

wherein:

(a) said bearing includes an outer race and an inner race fitted in said case and on said cartridge, respectively, and rotary elements between said races,'one of said races having a sliding fit whereby said cartridge is readily removable from said case.

3. A cosmetic applicator as set forth in claim 1,

wherein: V

(a) said bearing includes an outer race integral with said case, an inner race integral with said cartridge, rotary elements between said races, and a retainer for said rotary elements, one of said races being axially removable from said rotary elements whereby said cartridge is readily removable as a unit from said case.

4. A cosmetic applicator, comprising: a

(a) a cosmetic-receiving cartridge structure having a perforated massaging end and being otherwise closed;

(b) a case structure surrounding the major portion of 7 3,192,923 r Patented July 6, 1965 8 said cartridge, said massaging end projecting beyond said case structure;

(c) and means for freely journaling said cartridge structure with respect to said case structure whereby, an

(a) said journal means includes inner and outer race elements integral, respectively, with said cartridge and case structures, rotary members between said race elements, and a retainer ring for said rotary members,

off-center contact of said massaging end with a skin 5 one of said race elements being axially movable with surface, said massaging end rotates freely and masrespect to said rotary members whereby said cartridge sages the skin surface as said cosmetic is applied structure is readily removable from said case structhereon. ture.

5. A cosmetic applicator as set forth in claim 4,

h i 10 References Cited by the Examiner (a) said journaling means is a ball bearing unit inter- UNITED STATES PATENTS posed between said case and cartridge structures, and including an outer race, an inner race, and bearing eleg 12/37 Carroll 132 79 merits therebetween, one of said races having a slidv- 0 1 V I y mg fit with the correspondin structure whereby said 15 2,915,345 12/59 Workman 308 187 2 cartridge structure is readily removable from said case structure. 6. A cosmetic applicator as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiner. 

4. A COSMETIC APPLICATOR, COMPRISING: (A) A COSMETIC-RECEIVING CARTRIDGE STRUCTURE HAVING A PERFORATED MASSAGING END AND BEING OTHERWISE CLOSED; (B) A CASE STRUCTURE SURROUNDING THE MAJOR PORTION OF SAID CARTRIDGE, SAID MASSAGING END PROJECTING BEYOND SAID CASE STRUCTURE; (C) AND MEANS FOR FREELY JOURNALING SAID CARTRIDGE STRUCTURE WITH RESPECT TO SAID CASE STRUCTURE WHEREBY, AN OFF-CENTER CONTACT OF SAID MASSAGING END WITH A SKIN SURFACE, SAID MASSAGING END ROTATES FREELY AND MASSAGES THE SKN SURFACE AS SAID COSMETIC IS APPLIED THEREON. 